Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes about Church

God builds his temple in the heart on the ruins of churches and religions.

God builds his temple in the heart on the ruins of churches and religions.

Heart, Church, Ruins

Ralph Waldo Emerson (2010). “Essays and English Traits by Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Five Foot Shelf of Classics, Vol. V (in 51 Volumes)”, p.285, Cosimo, Inc.

I once heard a preacher who sorely tempted me to go to church no more.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Church, Preacher, Heard

Ralph Waldo Emerson (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson (Illustrated)”, p.1124, Delphi Classics

I remember an answer which when quite young I was prompted to make a valued adviser who was wont to importune me with the dear old doctrines of the church. On my saying, What have I to do with the sacredness of traditions, if I live wholly from within? my friend suggested, - "But these impulses may be from below, not from above." I replied, 'They do not seem to me to be such; but if I am the devil's child, I will live then from the devil.'

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Children, Church, Devil

Ralph Waldo Emerson (2015). “Emerson's Essays: Top Essays”, p.43, 谷月社

The multitude of false churches accredits the true religion.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Church, True Religion, Multitudes

Ralph Waldo Emerson (2016). “Essays”, p.133, Open Road Media

The merit claimed for the Anglican Church is that, if you let it alone, it will let you alone.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Church, Merit, Ifs

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1977). “Journals and Miscellaneous Notebooks: 1852-1855”, p.156, Harvard University Press

Universities are of course hostile to geniuses, which, seeing and using ways of their own, discredit the routine: as churches and monasteries persecute youthful saints.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

College, Church, Saint

English Traits "Universities" (1856)

When I walk up the piazza of Santa Croce I feel as if it were not a Florentine nor an European church but a church built by and for the human race.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Race, Church, Santa

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1964). “The Journals and Miscellaneous Notebooks of Ralph Waldo Emerson”, p.175, Harvard University Press

Go into one of our cool churches, and begin to count the words that might be spared, and in most places the entire sermon will go.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Church, Might, Sermons

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1960). “The Journals”

A man of good sense but of little faith, whose compassion seemed to lead him to church as often as he went there, said to me; 'that he liked to have concerts, and fairs, and churches, and other public amusements go on.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Men, Compassion, Church

Ralph Waldo Emerson, David Mikics (2012). “The Annotated Emerson”, p.287, Harvard University Press

The narrow sectarian cannot read astronomy with impunity. The creeds of his church shrivel like dried leaves at the door of the observatory.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Doors, Church, Astronomy

Ralph Waldo Emerson (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson (Illustrated)”, p.2623, Delphi Classics

The Church seems to totter to its fall, almost all life extinct. On this occasion, any complaisance would be criminal which told you, whose hope and commission it is to preach the faith of Christ, that the faith of Christ is preached.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fall, Church, Criminals

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1981). “The Portable Emerson: New Edition”, p.82, Penguin

I like the silent church before the service begins, better than any preaching. How far off, how cool, how chaste the persons look,begirt each one with a precinct or sanctuary!

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Church, Looks, Sanctuary

Ralph Waldo Emerson (2008). “The Spiritual Emerson: Essential Works by Ralph Waldo Emerson”, p.19, Penguin